4.3.10—Aquaculture

Aquaculture can improve food supply and income, but sustainability depends on habitat, feed, disease, escape and waste pathways.

In integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, fish are farmed with organisms such as mussels and algae. Filter feeders remove suspended particles and algae take up dissolved nutrients, which can reduce organic waste, oxygen demand and eutrophication compared with fish-only production. Risks still include habitat loss, excess feed, anti-fouling chemicals, antibiotics or other medicines, disease transfer and escapees.

Management must match each pathway: lower stocking density and biosecurity reduce disease, settling or biological filters treat effluent, secure enclosures limit escapes, and protecting mangroves avoids replacing nursery habitat.

Measured feed efficiency, effluent, disease/escape control, habitat and social outcomes—not the label alone.

Farmed does not automatically mean low-impact or high-impact; inspect the production system.